What are parents in Cornwall being told about Empathy Express?
Parents deserve to know who they're trusting with their children.
Brandon Mayer, who now runs Empathy Express in Cornwall, pleaded guilty to assaulting an 11-year-old boy while working as a daycare supervisor. He received a suspended sentence and three years of probation.
But there's more to this situation.
A parent whose son was also a victim has described allegations of disturbing emotional manipulation, including being required to message Mayer every night, being punished for late replies, being told his family didn't love him and that Mayer was the only person who cared about him, and being asked inappropriate questions about what he did in the shower.
Let that sink in. These are allegations from a parent whose child was affected, and they deserve to be taken seriously.
I'm also hearing that parents at the daycare were not notified.
Were parents told what had happened? If not, why not?
When someone is entrusted with the care of children, parents have every reason to expect transparency about serious concerns affecting their children's safety.
Children deserve to feel safe with the adults caring for them. They should never be manipulated, intimidated, or made to feel dependent on an adult who is supposed to protect them.
Parents deserve answers. Families deserve to be heard. And the safety of children should always come first.